Jinyi Town Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 114 Concubine Li
General Feng Shen told He Liu that Zhao Kui, Zhao Jianzhi's nephew, had opened the northern gate for the Tatars.

He Liuming's powerful men inquired about Zhao Kui's whereabouts—this person was far away in the sky, but right in front of him!After the defeat of Datong, this Beibianmen banner officer actually ran to Xuanfu——and joined Wang Tingshu, the prefect of Xuanfu at that time.Wang Tingshu was transferred to be the governor of Datong, and Zhao Kui followed him back to Datong.

Today, Zhao Kui has been promoted from the original flag officer of the North Pianmen to the general of Datong, and is in charge of the three defenses of Dongzhengmen, Nanpianmen, and Nanzhengmen!

When He Liu heard the news, he fell into deep thought: the former governor - the "martyred" Mr. Zhao Jianzhi belonged to Prince Yu.

The current governor, Wang Tingshu, is also a member of Lord Yu.

The former commander-in-chief, Li Hu, was an old man of Yan Ge.

Ever since He Liu came to Datong, Wang Tingshu has been hinting to him intentionally or unintentionally that Li Hu is collaborating with the enemy.

Could it be that it was the members of the Yuwang party in the northwest frontier town who united to frame and frame Li Hu of the Yan party?

Most of the generals leading the troops on the nine sides are members of the strict party.After the defeat of Datong, the emperor seemed a little distrustful of these strict party generals.These days, the imperial court has frequently issued transfer orders, and half of the soldiers on the nine borders have been replaced.Naturally, the newly appointed generals are all members of Yu Wang's party.

Could it be that, in order to make the strict party lose the trust of the emperor, King Yu did not hesitate to let tens of thousands of Datong guards die on the battlefield?
He Liu didn't dare to think about it anymore.

The old Hu beside him seemed to see through He Liu's mind.He sighed: "King Yu is too impatient, right? The emperor had eight princes, and now the princes died young or died of illness. The emperor is now the only seedling of King Yu. The throne will be his sooner or later." If he is the man behind the biggest defeat of Datong, then he doesn't take Daming's country seriously!"

He Liu smiled: "Old Hu, do you think we will continue to investigate this case? If we continue to investigate, we will offend the crown prince—offend the future emperor! When he becomes the throne, we will still have good fruits for us to eat? "

Old Hu said: "If you don't investigate further, how will you explain to the emperor and Commander Lu?"

He Liudao: "To say something disrespectful. If the dignified prince of a country regards the lives of soldiers and people in border towns as nothing, then he is not worthy of being a prince at all! I'd better pursue this case. ' Zhao Jianzhi's level has to stop. I always feel that the spirits of tens of thousands of Bianzhen soldiers are watching us!"

Lao Hu sighed: "Lao Liu, you like to ask the bottom line. When the water is clear, there will be no fish, and when people observe it, there will be no disciples. Sometimes it will kill people if you ask the bottom line."

Capital City, Prince Yu's Mansion.

Prince Yu was wearing an ocher robe and sitting on the grand master's chair.

There are several people sitting next to him: Xu Jie, the second assistant of the cabinet, Zhang Juzheng, the minister of the Ministry of war, Gao Gong, the minister of the household department, Chen Daonan, the new general of Datong who has not yet taken office, and Zhao Zhenji, the governor of Nanzhili who came to Beijing to report on his duties.

Zhang Juzheng said: "My lords, my lords. Strictness of the party is harmful to the country! Yan Song's godson, Li Hu, lost his Datong guard within a day. As far as I know, this Li Hu has been secretly passing money to the Tatars for the past few years." Qu. Last year, Mr. Zhao Jianzhi participated in his collaborating with the enemy three times! The defeat of Datong Wei is a good thing, but also a bad thing for the court. At least let the emperor see clearly that those border town generals of the strict party are unreliable!"

Gao Gong also said: "That's right! For a while, the emperor even withdrew several of the Yan Party's border officials and border town generals, and replaced them with our people. The emperor, an old man, finally saw Yan Song's face clearly!"

King Yu said: "Chen Daonan. Now go to Datong, you have to organize your army and master the military, for the court, for the emperor, and for the king to guard the northwest gate of Daming!"

Chen Daonan cupped his hands and said, "Yes, my lord! But I have something to report."

King Yu is the heir apparent, so Chen Daonan called himself "Chen" in front of him.

King Yu said, "But it's okay to talk!"

Chen Daonan talked eloquently: "This minister is going to Datong. To reorganize Datong's defense, a large amount of military pay is needed. Lord Gao Gong is in charge of the household department. When the time comes, I will ask him to help with the military pay!"

King Yu looked at Gao Gong, Minister of the Ministry of household affairs.Gao Gong hurriedly said: "Don't worry. We are my own family! In terms of military pay, I will definitely give priority to Datong Guards!"

King Yu asked Zhao Zhenji who came to Beijing to report on his duties: "The emperor recently took the Lianghuai salt affairs away from the strict party and handed them over to you. How are you doing with the Lianghuai salt affairs?"

Zhao Zhenji said: "He Liu from Jinyiwei severely punished those officials who sold illegal salt in the south of the Yangtze River. The salt affairs are much easier to handle!"

Gao Gong said disdainfully: "He Liu of Jinyiwei? That's a cunning head! Never offend anyone! Be a good man! Originally, I hoped to start a fire from Lianghuai Salt Affairs, and burn it to the strict party! Who would have thought Instead of helping us light the fire, He Liu poured cold water on it! Although he made those five people spit out 1000 million taels of silver, none of the culprits were punished!"

Zhang Juzheng shook his head and said: "Although the emperor didn't punish them in the open, he did not punish them publicly! He Liu is a prudent and experienced person."

"I think He Liu is doing very well in Jiangnan! He is a visionary!" A woman's voice came into the hall.

A woman walked slowly into the hall.

This person is the side concubine of King Yu, Mrs. Li.

The prince is discussing matters with his ministers, how can the side concubine interrupt?
Concubine Li is different from those ordinary concubines of princes.Although she came from a small family, she has extraordinary knowledge.Has political views beyond ordinary women.In terms of politics, she did not give advice to Prince Yu.

"No rules!" Yu Wang said.

Xu Jie, Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng and others hurriedly knelt down and said, "Your servant sees the princess!"

Concubine Li said: "My lords, please get up quickly."

Concubine Li said to King Yu again: "I have the same opinion about He Liu as Mr. Zhang. This man is still prudent! Now the national treasury is empty, several provinces are plagued by disasters every year, southeast, and military expenditures in the north are increasing year after year. Jiangnan It is an important place for the imperial court's finances and taxes. If it really burns up in the south of the Yangtze River, wouldn't it burn all the land and land of the Ming Dynasty?"

Although King Yu scolded Concubine Li for being unruly, he still asked her: "The emperor sent He Liu to Datong to search Li Hu's house, what do you think?"

Concubine Li said: "In my opinion, the emperor sent him to Datong to copy the home of former general Li Hu, but in fact, he was to secretly investigate the secret of Datong's defeat!"

Gao Gong interjected: "Princess, the reason for Datong's defeat is nothing more than Li Hu's stupidity, he doesn't know how to lead troops and be a general!"

Concubine Li glanced at Gao Gong: "Lord Gao, is this really the case? 7 people defended the city, and Datong was lost in one day. Seventy-eight out of ten soldiers died in battle. I think it is even a six or seven-year-old child who becomes Datong." Zongbing Wei wouldn't be defeated so simply! What's more, Li Hu can be regarded as a battle-tested fighter?"

Gao Gong and Concubine Li have always been at odds.Seeing this, Zhang Juzheng quickly smoothed things over: "The princess doesn't know something. Li Hu is suspected of collaborating with the enemy. If the top general of Datong colluded with the enemy, Datong's defeat would be reasonable."

Concubine Li said meaningfully: "I don't think it's that simple."

At night, the Minister of the Household Department arched his mansion.

A Qianhu dressed in a mandarin duck shirt from Bianzhen stood in front of Gao Gong with his hands down.

Gao Gong asked: "He Liu went to Datong, did you find anything?"

Qian Hu said: "My lord Gao, I haven't found anything yet. However, our Wang Tingshu Wang Governor Rangmo will ask you, does Prince Yu know about Datong?"

Gao Gong snorted coldly: "How can Prince Yu know about this kind of thing? The purpose of what we do is to bring down the traitor! To deal with the traitor, naturally we must use the same methods as the traitor! This is for the sake of Ming Dynasty The foundation of all generations! Let your Governor Wang keep a close eye on He Liu. That man seems to be a loyal person, but he is a slippery loach in his bones! Don't let him spoil our important event!"

(End of this chapter)